The Ammanford Chatty Pacers were back out in force this week, sharing the joy of social running at Brynaman parkrun, as they participated in the Run Wales Social Running Celebration Relay.
The Celebration relay provides all Run Wales registered groups with a tremendous opportunity to showcase their group, sharing information about their activities and encouraging more people to participate in social running outside of their regular weekly parkrun. We are encouraging groups to support their local parkrun by offering to volunteer as well as run, jog or walk at the relay events.
16/47: Celebration Relay Run Report – Brynaman parkrun
Our thanks to all at Brynaman parkrun for the warm welcome for me and members of our social running group, the Ammanford Chatty Pacers, and for letting me write this run report.
I arrived as the volunteers were arriving, they are always a friendly bunch up at Brynaman and straight away the atmosphere was welcoming.
It was overcast but dry, ideal running conditions. We had with us the Run Wales Social Running Celebration baton, as we were taking part in the parkrun relay.
Last week the relay was at Llyn Llech Owain parkrun and is due at Swansea Bay parkrun next Saturday. We were there to spread the word on social running groups, supported by Run Wales.
More of the Chatty Pacers arrived along with the other runners and there was soon a pleasant buzz of conversation as runners gathered: a great atmosphere.
We chatted to Rhianydd, the Run Director, and other runners, and when Rhianydd gave the starters briefing, mentioned why we were there and pointed out the baton, thanks Rhianydd! Rhianydd also mentioned parkwalk, parkrun’s latest initiative and Brynaman has fully embraced this.
The run itself was very nice, apart from a few wet leaves, standard for this time of the year, very nice running conditions.
The pack spread out, with people appropriately positioned and a nice distribution of runners with dogs, all well behaved (and their dogs too).
The course itself is an out and back, gently downhill for the first half and a slight climb on the way back, so steady pacing is crucial on this one!
As an out and back run, you get to see all the runners along the route and what was really nice was that all the faster runners shouted encouragement as they passed us on the way back, this parkrun really does demonstrate what parkrun is all about.
Lots of clapping and encouragement at the finish and a nice chat.
A great experience and many thanks to Rhianydd and gang for having us, we’ve had a few messages today to our group Instagram page, so hopefully some parkrunners will soon be joining a social running group.
This week 39 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 5 were first timers and 7 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 10 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 15 volunteers: Thank you to each and every one of you – our parkrun couldn’t go ahead with you all.
Nick GRIFFITHS • Demi GRIFFITHS • Matt YELLAND • Martin EVANS • Sioned EDWARDS • Rhianydd EDWARDS • Anthony WARDEN • Michael DUGGAN • Catherine POULTER • Rhian EVANS • Nicola BOWEN • Michael DENDLE • Denise MASTERS • Nora JONES • Sarah HOPKIN
Today’s full results and a complete event history can be found on the Brynaman parkrun Results Page.
The female record is held by Lucy MARLAND who recorded a time of 18:04 on 28th December 2019 (event number 14).
The male record is held by Oliver WILLIAMS who recorded a time of 16:46 on 22nd February 2020 (event number 20).
The Age Grade course record is held by Alan DAVIES who recorded 91.19% (19:07) on 22nd January 2022 (event number 42).
Brynaman parkrun started on 21st September 2019. Since then 1,414 participants have completed 4,547 parkruns covering a total distance of 22,735 km, including 882 new Personal Bests. A total of 194 individuals have volunteered 1,280 times.
If you’d like to get involved in this event, whether you want to walk, run or volunteer, then please email: brynaman@parkrun.com or comment on their Facebook page.
Next the relay is heading south to Swansea Bay parkrun, where the Swansea Striders will be taking up the baton and celebrating all things social running.
Please come along and support the celebration relay in helping raise awareness about social running activities in your area.